Supporting mechanism for cabinet ironers



1937. J. w JENSEN ET AL 2,101,142

SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR CABINET IRONERS Filed June 3, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 1937- J. w. JENSEN ET AL 2,101,142

SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR CABINET IRONERS Filed June 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I% IIIIZZIIII 1937- J. w. JENSEN ET AL 2,101,142

SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR CABINET TRONERS Filed June 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l III" ell) Patented Dec. 7, 1937 was star 7 SUPPQRTING MECHANISM FOR (JABINET Eli-ONERS Ecseph W. Jensen and Alfred E. Shute, Chicago,

11., assignors to Electric Household Utilities Qorporation, Chicago, Ill, a corporationof Illinois Application June 3, 1936, Serial N... 83,235

14 Claims. (on. era-2s) Our invention relates to improvements in cabinet ironers for domestic use, and more particularly to means for supporting the ironer in operating position when withdrawn from the cabinet.

One ob-jectof the invention is to provide an ironer or ironing machine or" the domestic type arranged to be folded into and completely en:- closed within a cabinet when not in use, and'to be withdrawn from the cabinet and placed in operating position for use and properly supported while insaid last named position and while being moved .into the cabinet or withdrawn therefrom, wherein the supporting of the ironer is efiected by means which is automatically placed in operative supporting position through movement in an ironer mechanism comprising an ironer unit associated with a cabinet within which the unit is adapted to be housed while not in use, effective means for properlysupporting and stabilizing the unit and, associated cabinet, especially when the center of gravity of theironer unit is displaced with reference to the cabinet to an extent which would otherwise disturb the equilibrium of the cabinet, said means being effective at all times when the ironer unit is moved into.

and out of the cabinet and disposed in operative position while in use.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a supporting structure for holding the ironer unit of a mechanism of the character set forth in the preceding paragraph, in operative position for use, wherein the cabinet forms supporting means at one end of the unit and a displaceable leg forms the supporting means'at the other end of the unit and serves to sustain stable equilibrium or" the partswhile the ironer unit is moved into and out of the cabinet.

A still further object of the inventionis to provide in a cabinet ironer, wherein the ironer is arranged to be housed within the cabinet while not in. use and to be withdrawn from the cabinet for use, means for supporting the ironer while in operative position, together with automatical- 1y operated cam mechanism controlled by movements of the ironer in being withdrawn from and folded into the cabinet for respectively bringing the supporting means into and removing the same from operative supporting relation with respect to the ironer and maintaining the same in said supporting relation at any time when the ironer unit is displaced with respect to the cabinet to an extent which would otherwise cause unbalancing of the cabinet.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this speci-- fication, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an ironer and an associated cabinet, illustrating my improvements in connection therewith, the ironer being shown extended for use in operating position, and the side wall of the cabinet being broken away to more clearly show the mechanism contained therein.

vFig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating the ironer partially within the cabinet, in the act of either being folded. into the cabinet or withdrawn therefrom.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of certain camactuated mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1,. except that the ironer is illustrated as completelypositioned vertical sectional View, ccrrespond V r In said drawings, A indicates a cabinet and V B an ironer mechanism arranged to be folded into the cabinet for storage when not in use. The cabinet A is preferably made of sheet metal and is of substantially rectangular boxlike shape The cabinet A is of sufficient height to accommodate the ironer mechanism therewithin in an upright or vertical position.

The ironer mechanism B is of the type generally known as domestic ironers, and is a unit by itself, in the sense that its parts are all related in such a maner that it can be bodily swung out of the cabinet to operating position and swung back into the cabinet to be stored therein. The ironer unit, as shown, includes an elongated flat baseboard it, on which the ironer mechanism proper is fixedly mounted. The baseboard Ii] is permanently connected to the cabinet, but is movable with respect to the same to permit the ironer unit to be folded into the cabinet, suitable connections being provided between the baseboard and cabinet to properly guide the ironer unit to its folded, upright position within the cabinet.

The cabinet A, ironer mechanism B, and the means for guiding the ironer unit while being swung out from the cabinet or folded within the same, are similar to the cabinet, ironer mechanism, and guide means shown and fully described in our co-pending application, Serial No. 32,267, filed July 19, 1935.

The cabinet A is provided with a door opening H through which the ironer mechanism is passed in withdrawing the same from the cabinet for use or returning it to enclosed position. The opening H is adapted to be closed by a suitable door, which is indicated by l2.

The baseboard l0 carries a head or standard I3 adjacent to one end, on which an ironer roll I4 and a cooperating shoe H5 are mounted. The ironer roll l4 and the shoe H5 extend parallel to the baseboard and are driven through suitablemechanism contained in the head l3 and, so far as the present invention is concerned, need no further description. Beneath the board It at the end thereof which carries the head I3 is fixed a housing H4, which contains a suitable electric motor operatively connected to the driving mechanism in the head l3 for actuating the ironer roll and shoe. The parts just referred to constitute the ironer unit. They are all permanently related to each other and to the baseboard l0 so that the unit can be bodily moved into and out of the cabinet.

The cabinet A is provided with supporting mechanism on which the ironer unit is mounted and by which the latter is supported and guided in its movements into and out of the cabinet. When the ironer unit is in operating position, it

- is completely withdrawn from the cabinet and is disposed with the ironer roll l4, shoe H5, and baseboard l0 in horizontal position, as most clearly shown in Fig. 1. When the ironer unit is stored within the cabinet, it occupies a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 4, with the end carrying the head I3 disposed uppermost. The arrangement of this structure is such that the operator, by grasping the outer end of the ironer, may with very little physical effort swing the ironer outwardly to operating position or inwardly to storage position, as desired.

At the end of the baseboard ID, at which the head I3 is located, are provided a pair of upstanding arms or hangers disposed respectively at opposite sides of said board. In the drawings, only one of said arms is shown, the same being indicated by I 5. Each arm l5 carries a roller 16 adapted to travel in a guide channel or rail I! fixed to the corresponding side wall of the cabinet A. As will be understood, the guide rails are located on opposite side walls of the cabinet to properly guide the roller it. This construction is similar to the corresponding structure in our co-pending application hereinbefore referred to. The lower forward end of each guide channel I! is substantially horizontal and the rearward portion of said channel extends in a curve rearwardly and upwardly so that the ironer unit will be bodily rotated into vertical position when moved into the cabinet and into horizontal position when withdrawn from the cabinet. As will be evident, the head end of the unit, when in operating position, is definitely supported by the guide channel members ll-ll. Mounted on each side wall of the cabinet A, adjacent to the forward end of the corresponding guide channel member I? is a vertical guide channel or rail l8. The guide channels or rails iii-i8 are thus located at opposite sides of the cabinet. The lower ends of a pair of links l9-l9 at opposite sides of the baseboard 10 are guided by these rails I 8, the links 19-19 being provided with suitable rolls at their ends which engage the rails for this purpose. The upper ends of the links til-i9 are fixed to opposite ends of a transversely disposed shaft 20 rotatably mounted in a bracket 2i secured to the under side of the baseboard IE1, as shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. The bracket 2! is preferably located about midway between the ends of the baseboard Hl. A second pair of links 22-22 is connected to the links l9-l9, each link 22 being pivotally connected at its outer end 23 to the corresponding link I9 and at its inner end 24 to the upper end portion of the corresponding vertical guide rail IT. The pivotal connections at the'ends 24-24 of the links 22-22 are fixed against displacement. The links 22-22 in conjunction with the links Iii-l9 suspend the weight of the ironer unit beyond the end supported by the connections with the channel or rail members l'l-l'l during movement of the unit from one position to the other. As shown, each link 22 is connected to the corresponding link I 9 between the ends of the latter. The upper end of each link i9 is offset with respect to the lower end thereof, the section between said ofiset end and the lower end being reversely curved, as indicated at 25.

The bracket 2 l, which serves as bearing means for the shaft 26, is in the form of a fiat plate or bar and has downwardly extending, right angular end portions in which the shaft 20 is journaled. At each end of the shaft 20 a portion of angular cross section is provided, said angular portion at one end of the shaft being indicated by 26 and that at the other end by 21. The upper ends of the links i9-l9 are provided with openings of angular cross section fitting the angular portions 26 and 27 of the shaft 20 so that the shaft 20 is positively rotated when the links l9-i9 are rotated about the axis of said shaft. The extreme ends of the shaft 20 are headed, as shown, to positively hold the links l3-! 9 assembled therewith.

The ironer unit in its extended or operating position, as shown in Fig. 1, is supported by an outboard leg C, which is arranged to automatically fold into position substantially parallel to the ironer unit as the latter is swung into the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 4, and to automatically unfold and assume a supporting position as the ironer is swung out of the cabinet and into horizontal operating position. The supporting leg C is hinged underneath the baseboard If], a hinge member or plate 29 being employed for this purpose. The hinge plate 29 is fixed to the underside of the baseboard and is provided with a downwardly ofiset hinge eye portion 30 adapted to receive a hinge or pivot pin. The eye portion 33 is in the shape of a sleeve formed by curling the end of the plate 29. The leg C is in the form of a post or bar of substantially rectangular cross section and is preferably provided with a caster 3| at its bottom end to facilitate easy sliding movement of the leg along the floor on which it is supported. At the upper end, the leg is provided with a fixed bracket 32, which serves to pivotally connect the leg to the hinge plate 29. The bracket 32 is of channel form in cross section, having side walls 33-33 embracing opposite sides of the leg 0. The top portion of the leg C is snugly fitted into the channel-shaped bracket 32 and fixed thereto by rivets 34-34, or any similar securing means. The bracket member 32 protrudes upwardly beyond the top of the leg C and has the side walls 33-33 thereof provided with laterally extending enlargements in the form of hinge ears 35-35. The hinge ears 35'--35 embrace the hinge eye portion 30 of'theplate 29, and a hinge pin 36 extending through said ears and the eye 30 of the plate'29 serves to pivotally connect or hinge the leg- C to thebaseboard l0. As shown in Figs. 5 and- 6', the leg C is hinged to the baseboard I at the outer end and near one side edge thereof. The outer side wall 33 of the channel-shaped bracket 32, that is the side wall adjacent to the edge of the baseboard Ill, is provided with an outstanding lug or ear 3'! for a purpose hereinafter described. The ear 31, as shown, is located opposite to the corresponding ear 35 and some distance below the same.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the swinging movement of the leg C is automatically effected through movement of the ironer unit into and out of the cabinet. The means for effecting this automatic movement comprises a cam member 38 and an actuating link or arm 39 operated by the cam member and connected to the leg C. Operation of the cam member 38 is effected by movement of the links I9'--l9 during movement of the ironer unit into and out of the cabinet A. The cam member 38 is fixed to the square end portion 21 of the shaft 20, said cam member being provided with a square opening 49 therethrough. which fits the shaft. The cam member 38 is of plate or disclike form and is covered by a sheet metal cap member 4| extending over the outer side and the edge of said cam member. As shown most clearly in Figs. and 6, the cam member 38is arranged between the side edge of the baseboard l9 and the link I9 at the corresponding side of the baseboard and is securedto said link by a rivet 42 extending through the upper end of the link and the cam member 38. Inasmuch as the cam member 38 is fixed to the shaft 28 and to the link I9 at the corresponding side of the baseboard H), the cam member is moved in unison with the links l9-l9.- The cam member 38 is provided with a way or groove 43 for a purpose hereinafter pointed out.

The link or arm 39 extends from the cam member 38 to the leg C and is pivotally connected at its outer end to the ear or lug 31' of the bracket 32 by means of a stub shaft 44. The opposite end of the arm 39 is provided with an elongated slot 45, through which the shaft 20 extends. The arm 39 is arranged on the inner side of the cam member 38 and carries a roller 46 mounted on a pin 41 fixed to said arm 39. The roller 46- is guided in the cam way 43 of the cam member 38 and controls the movement ofthe arm 39 during rotation of the cam member 38. As will be seen, the arm 39 is positively guided during its move; ments by the slotted connection thereof with the shaft 20. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the cam way 43 of the cam member 38 has a substantially straight section 48 and curved sections 49 and 53 at opposite ends of the. section 48'- and communicating therewith. The curved section 49 is of greater length than the curved section 58. I

The major portion of the curved section 49 0f the cam way is concentric tothe axis of rotation of the cam member 38, said section 49 being gradually curved inwardly toward said axis where it merges with the section 48 of the cam way. The extreme end portion of the section 50 is also concentric to the axis of rotation of the cam-member 38.

Upon reference to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the roller 46 of the arm. 39 is located near the closed end of the section 49 of the cam way 43- of the cam 38 when the baseboard Ill is in the horizontal position. Tl'i'e'le'g G is thlls held locked in the vertical position in which it-pos'iti'vely sup- 1 ports the outer end of the baseboard l8. Inasmuch-as the major portion of the section 49 of the cam way 43 is concentric" to the axis of rotation of the cam 38, there will be no move-- ment of the arm 39 during the first part of the rotational? the cam member 38; 1 During movement of the parts from the position shown in- Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2", while the ironer uniti's movedfinwardly of the cabinet A there will be no swinging-- o'r hinging movement ofthe leg C with respect to the baseboard. III during the time that the" concentric portion of the section 49 of the cam way 43 :is engaged with the roll 46 As the parts reach the position shown in Fig; 2',

the roll d'li pa'sses from the section 49 of the camway'43 into'the straight'se'ction 48, thereby pull-"7 ing the arm' 39 i'nwardly'and. causing the leg'C to be swung on its pivot; During further movementof the ironer unit into the" cabinet, the leg Cwill be swung to: the position show-n m 4 by-f the" roller successively passing. through the. sections48 and SU -"of thecamway 43. Whenthe" roller is engaged with the short section 50 of the cam way, which section is concentric with the axis of rotation of the cam 38','the leg C will be locked in the position shown in Fig. 4. The concentric portion 49' of the cam-way 43 of the" cam 38 is proportioned so that-the leg C will p,osi-- tively support the outer end of the baseboard l0 until the ironer unit has" been moved into the cabinet such a distance that the center ofgravity of the ironer is disposed well within the-limits of the cabinet. This position of the leg C is shown in dotted lines in Fig. '1 and isindicated by 5|.

the baseboard l0 before the center of gravity of the ironer has been' shifted sufficiently to cause overbalancing of the cabinet'A.

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. I and that it is desired to place the ironer inthe cabinet A for storage, the operator merely pushes longitudinally on the ironer unit and causes the head end of the unit to move horizontally on the outer portions of the guide channels I1-|1.

by the rollers thereof being guided-in the channels l8- |8. The parts are proportioned and arranged so; that the pivotal connection of the links I9| 9' with the baseboard l0. which pivotal connection is formed'by the shaft 20, travels in substantially a horizontal planethroughout the entire movement of the unit into the cabinet A. The end of the baseboard l0, which carries the head" l3. starts moving upwardly. as soon as the rollers H5 at said end reach the curved sections of the guide channels l1-I1, thus causing theouter end of the' ironer unit to move downwardly. The whole unit thus rotates about the axis of the shaft and-eventually assumes a vertical position within the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 4. In withdrawing the unit, the operator grasps the lower end of the baseboard Ill and pulls out wardlythereon. whereupon the ironer unit will be bodily moved outwardly to its operating position and will be rotated into horizontal position during-- withdrawal.

At the" same time, thelower ends of the links l9"-l9 are" moved downwardly j We have herein; shown and described what we now consider the preferred manner of carry-' ing out our invention, but the same is merely illustrative and we contemplate allchanges and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a cabinet; of an elongated .ironer unit adapted to occupy a vertical position,

tively swinging said leg in reverse directions as the unit is swung from one position to the other, said motion transmitting mechanism including means for holding said leg in extended supporting'position during part of said movement of the unit.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a supporting member; of an elongated ironer unit; means connected with the supporting member and ironer unit for supporting and guiding said ironer unit for movement to I vertical position with respect to said member and for movement from said vertical position to a horizontal position in extended relation to said supporting member; a foldable outboard leg car ried by said ironer unit, said leg being hinged to th'e'ironer unit and swingable to folded relation thereto; and motion transmitting means actuated by said ironer supporting means, including a driving element,'a driven element for actu- =ating said leg, and connecting means between said elements for positively actuating the driven element to operate said leg to swing the same' to folded or supporting position as the unit is moved from one position to the other, said connecting means holding said driven element against movement in reverse directions during part'of said movement of said unit to hold'said leg in extended, supporting position with respectto 'said' ironer unit. 1 3. In a structure of the class described,- the combination with a cabinet; of an elongatedironer unit movable into and outer the cabinet and adapted to occupy a vertical position in the cabinet or a horizontal position outside of thecabinet; means connected with the cabinet and ironer unit for supporting and guiding the unit. as it is moved from one position tothe other; an

outboard supporting leg hinged to said unit and adapted toswing from supportingposition into folded relation to said unit; and cam means actuated by movement of said unit into andout of the said leg in reverse 1 cabinet for positively swinging directions. I v

4. In a structure of the class described, the. combination with" a cabinet;

ironer unit movableinto and out of the cabinetv and adapted to occupy a vertical position in the,

cabinet or a horizontal position outside of the cabinet; means connected with the cabinetandi ironer unit for supporting'and guiding the unit as it ismoved from one position to the other; an outboard supporting leg hinged to said unit and adapted to swing from supporting position into folded relation to said unit; a rotary cam member of an elongated actuated by movement of'said unit; and means connected to said leg for actuating the same, said means being positively actuated in reverse directions by said cam member.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a cabinet; of an elongated ironer unit movable into and out of the cabinet and adapted to occupy a vertical position in the cabinet oria horizontal position outside of the cabinet; means connected with the cabinet and ironer unit for supporting and guiding the unit as it is moved from one position to the other; an outboard supporting leg hinged to said unit and adapted to swing from supporting position into folded relation to said unit; a rotary cam member actuated by movement of said ironer unit, said cam member being mounted on said ironer unit; a connecting rod pivotally attached to said leg for swinging the same; and means connecting said cam member and rod for positively moving the latter in reverse directions.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a cabinet; of an elongated ironer unit movable intoand out of the cabinet and adapted to occupy a vertical position in the cabinet or a horizontal position outside of the cabinet; means connected with the cabinet and ironer unit for supporting and guiding the unit as it is moved from one position to the other; an outboard supporting leg hinged to said unit and adapted to swing from supporting position into folded relation to said unit; a rotary cam member actuated by movement of said ironer unit, said cam member being mounted on said ironer unit; a connecting rod pivotally attached to said leg for swinging the same; means connecting said cam member and rod for positively moving the latter in reverse directions; and means on said cam member for holding said last named means against movement with respect to said ironer unit during partial rotation of said cam member.

'7. In a structure of the class; described, the combination with a cabinet; of an elongated ironer unit movable into and out of the cabinet and adapted to occupy a vertical position in the cabinet or a horizontal position outside of the cabinet; rotary pivot means on said ironer unit on which the ironer'unit is swung during movement into and out of the cabinet, said pivot means being rotated by movement of said ironer unit; a rotary cam member fixed to said pivot means and rotatable therewith; a foldable leg pivoted to said ironer unit for supporting the latter in horizontal position; and means actuated by said cam member for swinging said leg on its pivot for folding and unfolding the leg as the ironer unit is moved from one position to the other.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a cabinet; of an elongated ironer-unit movable into and out of the cabinet and adapted to occupy a vertical position in the cabinet or a horizontal position outside of the cabinet; means connected with the cabinet and ironer unit for supporting and guiding the unit as it is moved from one position to the other; an outboard supporting leg hinged to said unit and adapted to swing from supporting position into folded relation to said unit; a rotary cam mem- .ber actuated by movement of said ironer unit,

said cam member having a cam way thereon, said cam member being mounted on said ironer unit; a rod connected to said leg for actuating the same; and means on said rod cooperating with said camway of the cam member for actuating 9. In a structure of the class described, the

combination with a cabinet; of an elongated ironer unit movable into and out of the cabinet and adapted to occupy a vertical position in the cabinet or a .horizontal position outside of the cabinet; means connected with the cabinet and ironer unit for supportingand guiding the unit as it is moved from one position to the other; an outboard supporting leg hinged to said unit and adapted to swing from supporting position into folded relation to said unit; a rotary shaft on said ironer unit actuated by movement of said ironer unit; a cam member fixed to said shaft, said cam member having a cam groove, part of which groove'is substantially concentric to the axis of rotation of said cam'member; a rod pivotally connected to said leg andslidable radially with respect to said shaft; and means on said rod cooperating with said cam groove to effect reciprocation of said rod when the cam member is rotated, said rod being locked against movement by said concentric portion of the cam groove, thereby holding said leg against folding action.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a cabinet; of an ironer unit adapted to be moved into and out of the cabinet, said unit being arranged to occupy a vertical position within the cabinet and a horizontal position outside of the cabinet; a pair of links pivotally connected to said ironer unit and having sliding connection with the cabinet; a cam memher fixed to the pivoted ends of said links and rotatable with said links on said pivotal connection; a second pair of links pivotally connected to said first pair of links and cabinet; guide rails within the cabinet and connected with the ironer 'movable into and out of the cabinet and adapted to occupy a vertical position within the cabinet or a horizontal position exteriorly of the cabinet, said ironer unit including'a base member; guide rails within the cabinet; link members pivotally connected at one set of ends to said base member and having sliding connection with said vertical guide rails at their other ends; additional links pivotally connected to said first named links and cabinet; a folding leg pivoted to said base member for supporting the ironer unit in its horizontal position outside of the cabinet; cam means fixed to said first named links and rotatable about the axis of the pivotal connection of said first named links with the base member; and

means positively actuated in reverse directions by said cam means and pivotally connected to said leg for folding and unfolding the latter during movement of the ironer unit into and out of the cabinet.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a cabinet; of an ironer unit movable into and out of the cabinet, said unit including a base member; means connected with the cabinet and ironer unit for supporting and guiding the unit as it is moved from one position to the other; a hinged leg on said unit for supporting one end of the same when withdrawn from the cabinet; a cam rod pivotally connected to said leg for swinging the latter to fold the same against said unit; a rotary shaft on said unit; a cam for actuating said rod fixed to said shaft; 2. link fixed to said shaft for rotating the s ame; and means connecting the link to the cabinet for actuating said link when said unit is moved with respect to the cabinet.

13. In a structure of the class described, the

combination with an ironer unit including a sup- I porting baseboard; of a supporting member to which said unit is movably connected for supporting one end of said unit when said unit is in operating position; a transversely disposed shaft rotatably mounted on said unit; movable link means anchored to said supporting member, said link means including a swingable link member having its outer end fixed to said shaft, said link member being actuated to rotate said shaft upon relative movement of said ironer unit and support; a rotary cam fixed to said shaft; a hinged leg for supporting the other end of said unit; and a rod actuated by said cam, said rod being operatively connected to said leg for swinging the same on its hinged connection. 7

14. In a structure of the class described, the combination with an ironer unit including a supporting baseboard; of asupporting member to which said unit is movably connected for supporting one end of said unit when said unit is in operating position; a transversely disposed shaft rotatably mounted on said unit; movable link means anchored to said supporting member, said link means including a swingable link member having its outer end fixed to said shaft, said link member being actuated to rotate said shaft upon relative movement of said ironer unit and support; a rotary member fixed to said shaft, said rotary member having a cam groove; a connecting rod having at one end thereof a longitudinal guide slot through which said shaft extends; a cam roll on said rod traveling in said cam groove; a leg pivoted to the other end of said unit for supporting said end when the unit is in operating position; and means pivotally connecting the other end of said rod to said leg, said last named pivotal connection being eccentric to the pivot of said leg.

JOSEPH W. JENSEN.

ALFRED J. SHU'I'E. 

